Bram Stemerdink
Encyclopedia
Abraham Stemerdink (born 6 March 1936 in Winterswijk
, Gelderland
) was for many years a member of the "Tweede kamer" (Dutch Parliament) and defense specialist for the PvdA
.
, member of the North Brabant
province government and councilor for the city 's-Hertogenbosch and since 1970 Member of Parliament
. In the Den Uyl administration
he was Secretary of State of Defence from 1973 and from January 1 to December 19, 1977 Minister of Defence
. In the second van Agt administration
he was secretary of state again. In the periods 1978-1981 and 1982-1994 he was an MP
. Stemerdink was an independent politician with historical interest. He was an activist for the preservation of the old parliament hall. He is a respected radio commentator since many years. He is also chairman of the foundation National War and Resistance in Overloon
(the Netherlands).
Winterswijk
Winterswijk is a municipality and a town in the eastern Netherlands.Winterswijk is a town with a population of some 30,000 in the Achterhoek which lies in the most eastern part of the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. It was also known as Winethereswick, Winriswic or Wenterswic...
, Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
) was for many years a member of the "Tweede kamer" (Dutch Parliament) and defense specialist for the PvdA
PVDA
PVDA can stand for*Labour Party , a Dutch political party: Partij van de Arbeid, normally written PvdA.*Workers' Party of Belgium, a Belgian political party: Partij van de Arbeid van België...
.
Biography
Bram Stemerdink was initially a captain in the Army, but lost an eye in a military exercise, after which he studied law in Leiden. Then he became secretary of the Council of WarCouncil of war
A council of war is a term in military science that describes a meeting held to decide on a course of action, usually in the midst of a battle. Under normal circumstances, decisions are made by a commanding officer, optionally communicated and coordinated by staff officers, and then implemented by...
, member of the North Brabant
North Brabant
North Brabant , sometimes called Brabant, is a province of the Netherlands, located in the south of the country, bordered by Belgium in the south, the Meuse River in the north, Limburg in the east and Zeeland in the west.- History :...
province government and councilor for the city 's-Hertogenbosch and since 1970 Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
. In the Den Uyl administration
Netherlands cabinet Den Uyl
The Den Uyl cabinet was a Dutch left-wing cabinet under prime minister Joop den Uyl with ministers from PvdA, PPR, D66, KVP and ARP. The last two parties were actually moderately right-wing, but left-wing elements within these parties supported cabinet den Uyl to create a left-wing majority...
he was Secretary of State of Defence from 1973 and from January 1 to December 19, 1977 Minister of Defence
Ministry of Defence (Netherlands)
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence governs the Netherlands Armed Forces. The Minister is assisted by a State Secretary...
. In the second van Agt administration
Netherlands cabinet Van Agt-2
The second Van Agt cabinet was a coalition between the Christian democrats , the labour party and the left-wing liberals D66. Many incidents made a healthy coalition impossible. Prime minister Dries van Agt had lots of trouble with the vice-prime minister Joop den Uyl of the labour party. Den Uyl...
he was secretary of state again. In the periods 1978-1981 and 1982-1994 he was an MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
. Stemerdink was an independent politician with historical interest. He was an activist for the preservation of the old parliament hall. He is a respected radio commentator since many years. He is also chairman of the foundation National War and Resistance in Overloon
Overloon
Overloon, mun. Boxmeer, is a village in the Netherlands in the province of North Brabant. It is best known as the site of the National Museum of War and Resistance of the Netherlands, and for a World War II battle that occurred around the village in September and October 1944.As a result most of...
(the Netherlands).